17,000 litres of diesel worth Rs 17 lakh smuggled illegally seized

BELAGAVI: A gang involved in smuggling diesel from Gulf countries has been busted by the Malmaruti police in Belagavi. The police also seized 17,000 liters of diesel worth Rs 17 lakh and arrested a tanker’s owner, Arihant from Tumakuru.

The diesel was being smuggled from Gulf countries via ships to Mumbai and then transported to other parts of the country through a tanker. The police received a tip-off and conducted a raid to catch the gang red-handed.

The investigation revealed that the gang had connections with smugglers from Maharashtra and Rajasthan. The police are now investigating the network and have formed special teams to track down the culprits.

Belagavi Police Commissioner Bhushan Gulabrao Borase stated that the gang had been evading taxes and causing huge losses to the government. The police are probing the involvement of other individuals and organisations in the smuggling racket.